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325 pp.
| HarperTeen
| February, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-227923-1$17.99
(3)
YA
After her parents separate and her mother overdoses on pills, wealthy high-achiever Juliet begins to see the flaws in a life she thought was perfect, and she starts to change her once-predictable behavior. Though a love triangle is among the conflicts, the novel wisely widens its focus to acknowledge the importance of other elements in Juliet's life.
(2)
YA
When best friends Zoe and Olivia are kicked out of their elite New York City ballet academy, Zoe thinks, "This is the worst thing that will happen to us in our entire lives." It is, until Livvie is diagnosed with leukemia. Kantor doesn't sugarcoat the messy ups and downs of either Livvie's illness or the girls' friendship, instead portraying both with honesty and compassion.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2014
314 pp.
| Hyperion
| January, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-2369-9$16.99
(4)
YA
The Darlings' second book focuses on their love lives--or lack thereof. Victoria can't communicate with her boyfriend; Jane dates a guy who may be gay; Natalya's crush reciprocates but has a girlfriend. The trio's constant fretting about their relationships grows tiresome, but fans of The Darlings Are Forever will again appreciate (or envy) the girls' solid, supportive friendship.
331 pp.
| Hyperion
| January, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-2368-2$16.99
(4)
YA
Best friends Jane, Natalya, and Victoria are starting freshman year at different high schools in New York City. In just two months, they develop crushes, make new friends, and attend "the party of the century." The girls' personalities are bland, but their desires to fit in and to succeed will strike a chord with readers in similar situations.
255 pp.
| Hyperion
| May, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-0849-8$15.99
(4)
YA
Kate and her mother spend the summer visiting friends on Cape Cod, far from their Utah home. Kate's resentment over her upended plans dwindles when she develops feelings for Adam, a friend of her hosts' daughter. This girl-meets-boy story is familiar but appealing; still, it's unlikely that a teen would be so oblivious to the disintegration of her parents' tumultuous marriage.
265 pp.
| Hyperion
| May, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7868-0962-2$15.99
(4)
YA
Jennifer can't move on after her boyfriend dumps her. Her grandmother's gift of The Breakup Bible doesn't help at first, but when the book's lessons start working, and with a hot news story to investigate, Jennifer's on the road to recovery. Jennifer's dual roles as ace-reporter and heartbroken dumpee don't convincingly gel, but ex-girlfriends will relate to her feelings.
249 pp.
| Hyperion
| April, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-7868-1837-9$$15.99
(2)
YA
Senior Jan Miller is struggling through her college applications (okay, ignoring them), trying not to fail French (though often cutting class to have coffee with her chic best friend), and--mostly--debating the merits of the two guys she currently has crushes on. Kantor deftly captures Jan's insecurity through her internal dialogue and through the mini-plays she enacts in her head.